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Alder

Alder

Alnus rubra

General Description

Red alder is almost white when freshly cut but quickly changes on exposure to air to light brown with a yellow or reddish tinge. Heartwood is formed only in trees of advanced age and there is no visible boundary between sap and heartwood. The wood is fairly straight grained with a uniform texture.

Distribution & Availability

West coast USA, principally the Pacific North West, where it is the most common commercial hardwood. Available in a range of grades and specifications as both rough lumber and dimension stock, although veneer production is more limited.

Physical & Mechanical Properties

Red alder is a relatively soft hardwood of medium density that has low bending strength, shock resistance and stiffness.

Working Properties

Red alder machines well and is excellent for turning and polishing. It nails, screws and glues well, and can be sanded, painted, or stained to a very good finish. It dries easily with little degrade and has good dimensional stability after drying.

Main Uses

Furniture, kitchen cabinets, doors, interior mouldings, turning, carving and kitchen utensils. Widely used by furniture industries around the world, its colour makes it an ideal substitute for cherry.

Other Information

The grading rules are unique for this western USA hardwood. Key points include the following: The lumber is kiln-dried, surfaced, and then inspected from the better face. Pin knots are a natural characteristic and are not considered as defects. The primary grades include Superior (Select & Better), Cabinet (No.1 Common), and Frame (No.2 Common), which adapt themselves to similar uses as the standard NHLA grades. When specifying red alder, it is best to work closely with the supplier to find the best grade for the end use.

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